Adapter for angular support member



Jan. 18, 1966 J. R. JANus ADAPTER FOR ANGULAR SUPPORT MEMBER 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1964 Jan. 18, 1966 J. R. JANus 3,229,822

ADAPTER FOR ANGULAR SUPPORT MEMBER Filed Jan. 20, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2A.nr-Aielj] illlll ca l nf fr" M6@ j /gzjg A u j 1%/ g I l 5 g i 39 'A lW g L f g0/\ /z M75 Z9 6 J6 55,/ 3

g @Ju-ay W, @V/vaga United States Patent O 3,229,822 ADAPTER FOR ANGULAR SUPPORT MEMBER John R. IIanus, Barrington, Ill., assigner to GarcyCorporation, a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 20, 1964, Ser. No.338,721 11 Claims. (Cl. 211-134) This invention relates to an adapterfor an angular support member, and lis particularly concerned withdetachable means for converting a support having an angular top to atlat topped support capable of supporting a display shelf upon whichmerchandise may be displayed.

Display racks of the type comprising a plurality of vertical pilasterssupporting brackets upon which display shelves are mounted require abase support capable of holding the pilasters in upright position. Acommon form of base support comprises a plurality of laterally spacedsupport members, each 'comprising an upright adapted to be positionedadjacent one of the pilasters, a support leg spaced from said upright,and a connecting bar integral with said upright and said support leg.The upright has a rearwardly extending projection adapted to t Within achannel in the front or rear surface of said pilaster and a plurality ofapertures in registration with apertures or recesses in the pilaster sothat it may be secured to the pilaster by fastening elements. A levelingscrew inserted into the bottom of the support leg is adjustable to holdthe pilaster in upright position. A plurality of the support memberssecured to the pilasters in laterally spaced relationship cooperate toproduce a rigid base support for the display rack.

Generally, it is preferred to use short support legs because theyprovide a neat appearance for the base support. 'Ihe upright requires atleast two vertically spaced apertures for the fastening elements thatsecure it to the pilaster. Since the lower aperture must be spaced abovethe bottom of the pilaster, the upright is longer than the support leg,and the upper edge of the connecting bar is inclined upwardly from thehorizontal plane of the top of the support leg to enhance the appearanceof the base support. The inclined top surface of the connecting bar issatisfactory from an esthetic point of View, but does not provide asuitable support for la display shelf.

In accordance with the present invention, an adapter, comprising a attop bar and a post depending from the front end of said bar, has itsrear end adapted to seat on top of the upright. The rear end of theadapter is held against lateral displacement by a rearwardly extendingprojection that fits in the channel in the adjacent surface of thepilaster. The post depending from the front end of the adapter has aprojection depending therefrom. The projection extends into a recess inthe top of the support leg when the rear end of the adapter ispositioned on top of the upright with the reawardly extending projectionin the channel of the pilaster. The interengagement of the projectionextends into a recess in the top of a support vents accidental lateraldisplacement of the front end of the adapter.

The post depending from the front end of the adapter extends below thelower edge of the flat bar a distance equal to the vertical distancebetween the top of the upright and the top of the support leg.Therefore, when the adapter is positioned with the rear end of the atbar on top of the upright and the projection fitted within the recess inthe top of the support leg, the top surface of the fiat bar is disposedin a horizontal plane. A plurality of support members positioned in thismanner cooperate to provide a level support for an extra display shelfnear the bottom of the display rack. If the extra display shelf is notrequired, the adapter may be readily removed to restore the originalappearance of the base support.

A structure by means of which the abo-ve mentioned ice and otheradvantages of the invention may be attained will be described in detailin the following specilication, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of theinvention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a display rack showing anadapter positioned to support a display shelf;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter positioned on a support leg;

FIG. 3 lis an enlarged side elevational view of an adapter positioned ona support leg and a display shelf supported on the adapter;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a display rack with abase support embodying the inventon;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken along the line 55of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is :an enlarged cross sectional view, taken along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view, taken along the line 7--7 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view, taken along the line 8 8 ofFIG. 5.

In the drawings, a plurality of pilasters 11 are spaced laterally tosupport a panel 12 between adjacent pilasters. In FIG. 4 a top stretcher13 connects the upper ends of -adjacent pilasters, but it will beunderstood that such structure is optional. The pilaster structure willnot be specifically described since pilasters of any suitableconstruction may be used. Each pilaster is provided with a longitudinalrecess 14 on each side for supporting one edge of a panel in eachrecess. The pilaster is also provided with vertically aligned slots 15for supporting brackets 16 upon which display shelves 17 are mounted.Each pilaster is also provided with a longitudinal channel 18 in itsfront surface to engage one end of an angular support member 19 and oneend of an adapter 20 positioned on top of the support member. A similarchannel 21 is provided in the rear surface of the pilaster forengagement with a support member and an adapter if a base support is toextend from the rear of the display rack. The width of channel 21 is thesame as the width of channel 18, and the :angular support Iand adapterwill lit equally well in either channel. Each pilaster may rest directlyon the floor 22, but preferably is provided with a leveling device 23.

The angular support ymember 19 comprises a support leg 24, an upright25, and a connecting bar 26. The support member may be an integralmember, such as a casting or forging, or the parts may be welded orbrazed together to form a unitary structure. The support leg 24 ispreferably cylindrical, and is provided withv an axial bore 27 havingits lower portion threaded for reception of a leveling screw 28. Theupper portion of the bore 27 is counterbored, as indicated at 29, for apurpose hereinafter disclosed.

The upright 2S has an integral rib 30 extending rearwardly along itslongitudinal center. The rib 30 has a width approximately equal to thewidth of the channel 18 into which it fits. The upright also has aplurality of verticallyaligned apertures 31 for reception of screws 32by means of which the upright is secured to the pilaster 11. The frontend of each aperture 31 is preferably counterbored so that the heads ofthe screws 32 are flush with the front surface of the upright. Thescrews 32 are threaded into threaded apertures 33 provided therefor inthe pilaster.

When the support members are secured to the pilasters they extend atright angles to the plane of the panel 12. Connecting bar 26 has itsupper edge inclined downwardly between the upright 25 and the supportleg 24 to provide a neat appearance for the display rack. The

Y post 35, but may be welded or brazed thereto.

adapters 20 cooperate to provide a suitable top surface for supportingan extra display shelf 34 parallel to the shelves 17 adjacent the bottomof the display rack.

Each adapter comprises a front vertical post 35 having a projection 36depending therefrom and an arm 37 extending laterally from the upper endof the post 35. The projection 36 fits into the counterbore 29 of thesupport leg 24 and prevents any accidental lateral displacement of thefront end of the adapter. Projection 36 and counterbore 29 arepreferably cylindrical, but may be of any desired shape. The arm 37 ispreferably integral with the The arm 37 is provided with a at topsurface 38 and with a reinforcing bar 39 which may be integral with thearm 37, r may be welded to the underside of the arm and to the upperedge portion of the post 35. The bottom of the bar 39 rests on the topsurface of upright 25 adjacent its rear end. The vertical distancebetween the lower surface of the reinforcing bar 39 and the bottom ofthe post 35 is substantially equal to the difference between the heightsof support leg 24 and upright 25. The length of post 35 depending belowthe bottom of the bar 39 is just enough to position the top surface 38of arm 37 in a horizontal plane when the bottom of post 35 is seated onthe top of the support leg 24 and the rear end 40 of the bar 39 isseated on the top of the upright 25.

When the adapter is positioned on top of the angular support member, therear end portion 40 of the bar 39 fits into the channel 18 to preventaccidental lateral displacement of the rear end of the adapter when itis in shelf supporting position. The rear end 41 of the arm 37terminates short of the rear end of the bar 39 and tits ush against thefront surface of the pilaster to provide a neat, smooth nish for therear end of the top surface 38 of the arm 37. The adapter may be removedeasily if it is desired to remove the bottom display shelf and restorethe display rack to its original appearance.

The adapter may be secured in place by means other thanthe interttingprojection 36 and counterbore 29. For example, the counterbore may bethreaded, or the bore 27 may be threaded all the way to the top ofsupport leg 24. The post 35 may be provided with an axial bore largeenough to drop the headed end of a screw therein. An internal shoulderin the bore of the post 35 would define an aperture larger in diameterthan the shank of the screw and smaller than the head of the screw. Ascrew can be dropped into the bore of the post 35 so that its shank willpass through the aperture. The screw is threaded into engagement withthe threaded counterbore or with the axial bore 27 of support leg 24,and is turned until the headk of the screw is tightened against theinternal shoulder.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many detailsof construction may be rmodiled or changed without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to berestricted to theexact structure disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member having anupright secured against lateral movement relative to said pilaster and asupport post spaced from said upright, an adapter comprising a verticalpost having a length substantially equal to the vertical distancebetween the uppermost surfaces of said upright and said support post,and an arm extending laterally from the upper end of said vertical post,said arm having a length substantially equal to the distance betweensaid support post and said pilaster, and separate means holding each endof said adapter against accidental lateral displacement relative to saidsupport member.

2. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member having anupright secured against lateral movement relative to said pilaster and asupport post spaced from said upright, an adapter comprising a vertical`post having a length substantially equal to the vertical distancebetween the uppermost surfaces of said upright and said support post, anarm extending laterally from the upper end of said vertical post, saidarm having a length substantially equal to the distance between saidsupport post and said pilaster, means on said pilaster engaged with oneend of said arm to hold it in vertical alignment with said upright, andmeans for holding said vertical post in vertical alignment with saidsupport post.

3. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member having anupright secured against lateral movement relative to said pilaster and asupport post spaced from said upright, an adapter comprising a verticalpost having a length substantially equal to the vertical distancebetween the uppermost surfaces of said upright and said support post, anarm extending laterally from the upper end of said vertical post, saidarm having a length `substantially equal to the distance between saidsupport post and said pilaster, means on said pilaster engaged with oneend of said arm to hold it in vertical alignment with said upright, saidsupport post having a recess in its top surface, and a projectiondepending from said ver-I tical post, said projection being engaged withsaid recess to prevent accidental lateral displacement of said postrelative to said support member.

4. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular'support` member having anupright secured against lateral move-` ment relative to said pilasterand a support post spaced from said upright, an adapter comprising avertical post` having a length substantially equal to the verticaldistance between the uppermost surfaces of said upright and said supportpost, an arm extending laterally from the upper end of said verticalpost, said arm having a length substantially equal to the distancebetween said support post and said pilaster, said pilaster having achannel engaged with the outer end of said arm to hold itin verticalalign.-` ment with said upright, and means for holding said vertical`post in vertical alignment with said support post.

5. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member having anupright secured against lateral movement relative to said pilaster and asupport post spaced from said upright, an adapter comprising a verticalpost having a length substantially equal to the vertical distancebetween the uppermost surfaces of said upright and saidsupport post, anarm extending laterally from the upper end of said vertical post, saidarm having a length substantially equal to the distance between saidsupport post and said pilaster, said pilaster having a vertically`disposed channel, the outer end of said arm having a thicknessapproximately equal to the width of said channel, whereby said arm isheld against lateral displacement by engagement with said channel, and aprojection depending from said vertical post and engaging said supportpost for holding said vertical post against accidental lateraldisplacement relative to said support post.

6. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member engageablewith said pilaster to hold it in vertical` position, and an adapterengageable with said support member to provide a surface for supportinga display shelf in horizontal position, said pilaster having avertically disposed channel in one surface thereof, said angular supportmember comprising an upright secured against lateral movement relativeto said pilaster and a `support,`

post spaced from said upright, said adapter comprising a vertical postand an arm extending laterally from the upper end of said vertical post,said arm having a length substantially equal to the distance betweensaid support post and said pilaster and a thickness at its outer endapproximately equal to the width of said channel, and means holding saidvertical post in axial alignment with said support post when the outerend of said arm is posi-` tioned in said channel, said vertical posthaving a length substantially equal to the vertical distance between theuppermost surfaces of said upright and said support post,`

whereby said arm will be horizontally disposed when its outer end ispositioned on top of said upright and its vertical post is positioned ontop of said support post.

7. In a display rack, a pilaster, an angular support member secured tosaid pilaster to hold it in vertical position, and an adapter engageablewith said support member to provide a surface for supporting a displayshelf in horizontal position, said pilaster having a vertically disposedchannel in one surface thereof, said angular support member comprisingan upright having a rib projecting into said channel to secure saidupright against lateral movement relative to said pilaster and a supportpost spaced from said upright, said support post having a recess in itstop surface, said adapter comprising a vertical post and an armextending laterally from the upper end of ysaid vertical post, said armhaving a length substantially equal to the distance between said supportpost and said pilaster, and a thickness at its outer end approximatelyequal to the width of said channel, said arm being engaged with the topof said upright with its outer end positioned in said channel, saidvertical post having a projection depending therefrom, said projectionfitting within said recess to hold said vertical post in axial alignmentwith said support post with the bottom of said vertical post seated onthe top of said support post, said vertical post having a lengthsubstantially equal to the vertical distance between the uppermostsurfaces of said upright and said support post, whereby said arm will behorizontally disposed when its outer end is positioned on top of saidupright and its vertical post is positioned on top of said support post.

8. The combination of an adapter and an angular support member, saidadapter comprising a vertical post and an arm extending laterally fromthe upper end of said post and having means at the inner end of the armadapted to engage a pilaster, said support member having means at itsinner end adapted to engage a pilaster and an inclined top surfacesloping downwardly from its inner end, the inner end of said arm beingengaged with the upper end of said support member, the lower end of saidpost being engaged with the upper portion of the low end of said supportmember, said arm having a flat upper surface horizontally disposed whensaid adapter is engaged with said support member, and means for holdingsaid adapter against accidental lateral displacement relative to saidsupport member.

9. The combination of an adapter and an angular support member, saidadapter comprising a vertical post and an arm extending laterally fromthe upper end of said post and having means at the inner end of the armadapted to engage a pilaster, said support member having means at itsinner end adapted to engage a pilaster and an inclined top surfacesloping downwardly from its inner end, the inner end of said arm beingengaged with the upper end of said support member, the lower end of saidpost being engaged with the upper portion of the low end of said supportmember, said arm having a flat upper surface horizontally disposed whensaid adapter is engaged with said support member, and means dependingfrom said post for cooperating with the upper section of the low end ofsaid support member to prevent accidental lateral displacement of saidpost.

10. The combination of an adapter and an angular support member, saidadapter comprising a vertical post and an arm extending laterally fromthe upper end of said post and having means at the inner end of the armadapted to engage a pilaster, said support member having means at itsinner end adapted to engage a pilaster and an inclined top surfacesloping downwardly from its inner end, the inner end of said arm beingengageable with the upper portion of the high end of said supportmember, and a projection depending from the bottom of said post, saidprojection being shaped for interengagement with means on said supportmember for holding said post against accidental lateral displacement,said arm having a flat upper surface horizontally disposed when saidadapter is engaged with said support member.

11. The combination of an adapter and an angular support member, saidsupport member having means at its inner end adapted to engage apilaster and an inclined top surface sloping downwardly from its innerend, said adapter comprising a vertical post having a lengthsubstantially equal to the vertical distance between the uppermostsurfaces of the high and low ends of `said support member and an armextending laterally from the upper end of said post, said arm havingmeans at its inner end adapted to engage a pilaster, the inner end ofsaid arm being adapted to be seated on the uppermost surface of the highend of said support member, means for interconnecting the bottom of saidpost with the low end of said support member to prevent accidentallateral displacement of said lpost relative to said support member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,324,537 12/1919 Belcher 10S-108 1,932,794 3/1936 McArthur 297-421 2,620,023 12/1952 Molla 297-421 2,933,196 4/ 1960 Childs 21'1-183 2,971,805 2/ 1961Weiss 312-108 3,115,367 12/ 1963 Gariepy 297-440 FOREIGN PATENTS 856,48212/1960 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

UNITED STATES 4PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. .'5229 ,822 January I8 1966 John R. Janus or appears in the above numberedpat- It is hereby certified that err he said Letters Patent should readas ent requiring correction and that t corrected below.

Column l, line 54, for "reawardly" read rearwardly line 56, for"projection extends into a recess 1n the top of a support" readprojection and the recess in the top of the support leg precolumn 2,line l5, for "inventon" read Signed and sealed this 13th day of December1966.

(SEAL) Arrest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Auesting Officer EDWARD I. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN A DISPLAY RACK, A PILASTER, AN ANGULAR SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING ANUPRIGHT SECURED AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID PILASTER AND ASUPPORT POST SPACED FROM SAID UPRIGHT, AN ADAPTER COMPRISING A VERTICALPOST HAVING A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE VERTICAL DISTANCEBETWEEN THE UPPERMOST SURFACES OF SAID UPRIGHT AND SAID SUPPORT POST,AND AN ARM EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID VERTICAL POST,SAID ARM HAVING A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE DISTANCE BETWEENSAID SUPPORT POST AND SAID PILASTER, AND SEPARATE MEANS HOLDING EACH ENDOF SAID ADAPTER AGAINST ACCIDENTAL LATERAL DISPLACEMENT RELATIVE TO SAIDSUPPORT MEMBER.